Appearance Commission

Village Of Homewood Appearance Commission Thursday, September 1, 2022 6:00 p.m. Village Hall Board Room 2020 Chestnut Road Homewood, IL 60430 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Wright called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Hrymak, Preston, Quirke, Zander, and Chairman Wright were present. Member Willis was absent. In attendance from the Village were Village Planner Valerie Berstene and Building Department Secretary Darlene Leonard. Six people were in the audience. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chairman Wright asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes for July 7, 2022. There were no changes or corrections. There being no changes or corrections a motion was made by Member Zander to approve the minutes of July 7, 2022; seconded by Member Hrymak. AYES: Members Hrymak, Preston, Quirke, Zander, and Chairman Wright. NAYES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Member Willis AGENDA ITEMS: Case No. 22-27, Exterior Improvements for Target at 17605 Halsted Street. Village Planner Berstene to presented the case. Village Planner Berstene stated that Target is already over the allowed signage currently and they are adding new signage in the lot and on the building. The proposed signage would push the total to 650 square feet. There are no existing variances for exceeding the overage from the allotted 500 square feet. Chairman Wright asked if the drive-up signs are only considered branding because of the logo in it. Village Planner Berstene stated that the totals seem off, the paperwork stated the drive-up and logo on the building is 77 square feet but it’s 5’8” x 43’. Chairman Wright asked if the entire thing count towards signage, including the colored section on the wall. Village Planner Berstene stated it’s a good question and other businesses have had that count to the sign total. Member Quirke asked if the entire wall is the signage. Chairman Wright asked if it is painted wall or signboard behind it. Meeting Minutes | Page 1 Edward Davies of Kimley-Horn and Associates, stated it is painted wall. Member Preston stated it looks great and she has no complaints. Member Hrymak asked if the new color is a corporate plan. Mr. Davies stated it is a nationwide refurbishment/rebranding. Member Hrymak stated the red color is not muted and is very bright on the parking signs and asked if the doors will remain that red. Mr. Davies stated the red is true color, and the silver film will give the doors a more silver look. Member Hrymak asked if they will have to consider the drive-up notices now because more places are having it. Member Hrymak stated he has been concerned about the maintenance of the property and the parking lot and stated he is concerned it won’t be taken care of. Member Quirke stated, regarding the pick-up signage, that he expects them to be gone in a year when people aren’t worried about COVID anymore. Member Quirke asked if the signage approval will carry over when they are gone. Member Quirke added that he does not think of them as advertising signage, but more directional signage. Member Quirke stated that it needs to be kept track of for the future and looked into how it will be handled. Member Quirke asked if the number of disabled parking spaces and the proximity of them to the door isn’t changing. Member Hrymak stated by law they cannot do that. Chairman Wright asked if it will be reviewed. Village Planner Berstene stated it will be reviewed when they come in for the permit for the striping. Member Zander stated he considers these as directional signage and added that if or when the ordinance is looked at a category for directional signage might need to be added. Member Hrymak asked if it’s approved, but they are determined to be directional signage and they become separate, would it bring down the amount and change it. Member Hrymak asked if it could be reduced or changed. Chairman Wright stated that most opinions are that they are branding, but they will deal with it as best they can tonight. Chairman Wright stated it looks great and they generally do not approve a lot of sign variances. Chairman Wright asked if there is a Plan B developed if it isn’t approved. Mr. Davies stated it does happen from time to time and they would have to take it back to Target. In the past that has resulted in the time frame being pushed back. Meeting Minutes | Page 2 Chairman Wright asked for a motion to approve Case 22-27 Target Exterior Improvements for 17605 Halsted and recommend approval of a variance from the maximum gross signage area of 150 square feet for target at 17605 Halsted. Motion was made by Member Quirke to recommend approval of Case 22-27 – Target Exterior Improvements, Seconded by Member Preston. Member Quirke stated that he doesn’t think adding the 150 square feet without a deadline of removal if the signage is removed and that it is signage, but it’s more directional. Member Preston stated it is a mix of wayfinding and branding. AYES: Members Preston, Zander, and Chairman Wright. NAYES: Members Hrymak and Quirke. ABSTENTIONS: None. ABSENT: Member Willis. Motion passed. Case No. 22-25, 810 Maple Avenue, Elevations, Landscape Plan, and Lighting Plan for Building Repositioning. Village Planner Berstene presented the case and stated this has already gone in front of the Planning and Zoning Commission for the site plan and a parking variance and that the light plan complies with the requirements. Vincenzo Colella, the architect for the project, stated they are willing to work with the Village for a resolution. Chairman Wright asked if there are 2 businesses planned. Mr. Colella stated yes, a beauty supply store and a tobacco store. Chairman Wright asked if the bathrooms are on the interior, not along windows, and there are no kitchens and asked if they are okay with the landscape recommendations. Mr. Colella stated the bathrooms are on the interior and there are no kitchens and stated yes, they are okay with the landscaping recommendations. Member Preston asked which side would be the beauty supply and which would be the smoke shop. Village Planner Berstene stated the beauty supply is on the Maple side. Member Preston asked if the darker windows (on the plan) are part of the beauty supply store. Village Planner Berstene stated yes. And at the north end of the building, inside the smoke shop, there is going to be a humidor. Chairman Wright asked how they feel about the minimum 50% transparency on the windows. Member Preston stated she likes to be able to see into a business and added that it can feel tacky when clothes, etc. are blocking the windows. Meeting Minutes | Page 3 Member Hrymak asked why the windows are so dark. Village Planner Berstene stated the proposed layout as pegboards on the perimeter. Member Hrymak stated it’s an area that is not easily seen and asked if it will be 50%. Chairman Wright stated it won’t unless it’s part of the motion. Member Hrymak stated is has to be for security purposes and added that he is a big proponent if security and safety. Member Hrymak stated that he is implored to mention the landscaping as too many places don not maintain it and it looks terrible, and added if the windows don’t meet the 50% then he wouldn’t be for it. Member Quirke asked if the racks are for window displays or for inside displays. Mr. Colella stated it is just on the inside and stated he agrees that the visibility is needed. Member Quirke asked where the landscaping is going, if it’s just along the Maple Avenue side, and asked if there will be and pots on the east side. Mr. Colella stated it’s just along Maple and there is nothing on the east side to keep the visibility and site lines open. Member Quirke asked where the advertising/business signage is going. Chairman Wright stated the signage is proposed, but is within code. Village Planner Berstene stated that’s correct, the signage complies with the allowed square foot maximum. Chairman Wright asked if the tenants will be made aware of that the overabundance of signage on the glass can get them in trouble. Member Zander asked how they would meet the 50%. Village Planner Berstene stated it might meet on the east side, but not on the south side. Member Zander stated if the wall is built right to the windows, they will not have any transparency. Chairman Wright asked for a motion to approve Case 22-25, Building Repositioning for 810 Maple Avenue as proposed on the elevations, landscape plan, and lighting plan submitted by BAU Design and Development, and subject to providing a minimum 50% transparency per primary elevation, from 2.5’ above grade to the top of the window and that all dead landscaping will be replaced. Motion was made by Member Quirke to recommend approval of Case 22-25 – 810 Maple Avenue, Elevations, Landscape Plan, and Lighting Plan for Building Repositioning, Seconded by Member Zander. AYES: Members Hrymak, Preston, Quirke, Zander, and Chairman Wright. NAYES: None. Meeting Minutes | Page 4 ABSTENTIONS: None. ABSENT: Member Willis. Motion passed. Case No. 22-28, 2138 183rd Street – Gas Station Rebranding. Village Planner Berstene presented the case. Mr. Singh stated the roof will be red and the building white and the windows are new bulletproof glass with the protective covering still on it. It’s not display stands blocking the windows. Member Preston stated it looks standard and she has no questions. Member Hrymak stated he is glad someone is going in and asked about the location next door. Mr. Singh stated they are working it out. Member Quirke asked about ownership with the place next door. Mr. Singh stated they are considering a pizza place. Mr. Millner stated Shell only has their name on the octane buttons on the pumps otherwise they just use the shell logo. Village Planner Berstene stated a lot of businesses are going that way. Member Hrymak stated keep the landscaping maintained, especially at the signage. Chairman Wright added that the Village Arborist can help with it. Village Planner Berstene stated the Village Arborist is looking into it and is putting a plan together. Mr. Singh asked if the sign can be raised. Chairman Wright stated it’s not part of this plan. Village Planner Berstene stated there is a limit of 5 feet for signage in the downtown area. Chairman Wright asked for a motion to approve Case 22-28 Gas Station rebranding for 2138 183rd Street as proposed on the drawings submitted by Federal Health Sign Company/Visual Communications and the landscape plan recommended by Staff and subject to providing a minimum transparency of windows on each elevation within the zone measured from 2.5’ above grade to the top of the window. Motion was made by Member Hrymak to recommend approval of Case 22-28 Gas Station rebranding for 2138 183rd Street as proposed on the drawings submitted, Seconded by Member Preston. AYES: Members Hrymak, Preston, Quirke, Zander, and Chairman Wright. NAYES: None. ABSTENTIONS: None. ABSENT: Member Willis. Meeting Minutes | Page 5 Motion passed. OLD BUSINESS: Member Quirke asked if the plan has gone to the arborist yet for the casino. Village Planner Berstene stated nothing has been received from them recently. NEW BUSINESS: Chairman Wright asked when Walmart would be coming back. Village Planner Berstene stated probably 2024. Chairman Wright asked if there is any update for KFC. Village Planner Berstene stated they sent in a sign application and it didn’t match what was previously approved. Member Hrymak stated he’d like the Village to emphasize to the business owners to maintain their lots and exteriors. Member Quirke proposed to deputize the commission members as inspectors. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Member Quirke to adjourn the meeting at 7:07 p.m.; seconded by Member Hrymak. All in favor. None opposed. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Angela M. Mesaros Staff Liaison Meeting Minutes | Page 6